Harry H. Vandiver

Former Durango resident Harry H. Vandiver died Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in San Antonio. He was 77.

Mr. Vandiver was born to Frank and Helen Vandiver on July 1, 1935, in Las Animas. He graduated from Las Animas High School and received a bachelorís degree in business from the University of Colorado in 1957.

In June 1959, he married Claire Reynolds in New Haven, Conn. The couple had three children together before she preceded him in death in June 1981 after 22 years of marriage.

Mr. Vandiver worked in the insurance business his entire career, starting in his fatherís business, Vandiver-Bright Insurance in Las Animas.

The Vandiver family lived in Durango from 1975 to 1986. Mr. Vandiver owned and operated Turner Insurance Agency and was a member of the Durango High Noon Rotary Club.

In late 1981, he married Sandi Downing in McAllen, Texas.

After leaving Durango, the Vandivers lived in several places, including Albuquerque, Texas and back in Colorado. They had lived in Mazatlan, Mexico, for about the last five years.

Mr. Vandiver is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sandi (Downing) Vandiver of Mazatlan; children Jeff Vandiver of Longmont, Lisa West of Penrose, Jamie Vandiver of Pensacola, Fla., Jason Downing of San Antonio and Wendee Winn of Houston; and 11 grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 29, 2013, at Greenmount Cemetery in Durango.